Winners Announced in “Make Talk Work®” International Video Competition Funded by the JAMS Foundation

New York -The winners of the Make Talk Work® International Video Competition, which was funded by the JAMS Foundation, were announced last month in New York and the winning videos may now be viewed on the City University of New York (CUNY) Dispute Resolution Consortium website at http://johnjay.jjay.cuny.edu/dispute and on YouTube by entering “Make Talk Work” or “JAMS Foundation” at www.youtube.com.

"We have been especially proud to fund the Make Talk Work® International Video Competition because it reaches out to a younger generation and builds on past contributions of the JAMS Foundation. One of the goals of this project is wide distribution of the message of how to creatively manage and resolve conflicts. We hope to spread the message by reaching hundreds of thousands of people through YouTube and DVD distribution," Jay Folberg, Executive Director of the JAMS Foundation.

The CUNY Dispute Resolution Consortium in New York at John Jay College of Criminal Justice received $40,000 from the JAMS Foundation last year to create the Make Talk Work® International Video Competition. Building on the success of two previous JAMS Foundation grants funding the creation and distribution of colorful bookmarks featuring tips on conflict prevention and dispute resolution, this grant funded an international competition and dissemination of short videos (up to 60 seconds) based on the themes contained in the bookmarks.

This project has expanded the development of the CUNY DRC’s Make Talk Work™ project, a far-reaching initiative designed to increase public awareness and education about dispute resolution by developing tools which help the public to effectively communicate and manage differences in an increasingly challenging post-September 11 environment. The videos provide constant and tangible reminders about the need to utilize peaceful and constructive ways of handling our differences before using dysfunctional methods.

The winners in the Youth and Adult categories, who received cash prizes, are listed below. The Grand Prize winner received $2,000, the First Prize Winner in each category received $1,000, Second Prize in each category received $750, Third Prize in each category received $500, and Honorable Mentions received $100.